TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Optical Waveform Recorder / Preprocessor

Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to license the technology for an Optical Waveform Recorder/Preprocessor.

Background:  Modern real-time oscilloscope and high-speed digitizer technology is limited in its performance by relying on electronics for its processing.    Optical technology permits much higher performance which permits the measurement of shorter events.  There exists a need for an oscilloscope which can measure ultrafast waveforms with a temporal resolution from about 1ps down to below 100 fs of impulse response width in an expedient and efficient manner.  

Description:  The invention relates to a measurement method and system for capturing both the amplitude and phase temporal profile of a transient waveform or a selected number of consecutive waveforms having bandwidths of up to about 10 THz in a single shot or in a high repetition rate mode.   The invention consists of an optical preprocessor which can then output a time-scaled replica of the input signal to a conventional oscilloscope for display.    An additional technical description is available at the following website:

https://www-eng.llnl.gov/mic_nano/mic_nano_temporal_imaging.html

Advantages:  This technology has two great advantages over current oscilloscopes: 

•·        It is much faster. 

•·        It operates in real-time.  Each measurement is fundamentally a single-shot measurement, but it can operate at high repetition rates if desired.

•·         The process does NOT require repetitive sampling of a repetitive waveform.

•·        The invention can use a commercially available oscilloscope, or other final recording instrument for the "backend" of the system to display the waveform.

Potential Applications:  This invention can result in a preprocessor that extends the range of existing commercial oscilloscopes, high-speed analog-to-digital converters, streak-cameras, and/or many other final recording instruments.

Development Status:  LLNL researchers have a prototype device which demonstrates the technology.

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. 

Please visit the IPAC website at http://www.llnl.gov/IPandC/workwithus/partneringprocess.php

for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. 

Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Optical Waveform Recorder/Preprocessor should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1.   Company Name and address.

2.   The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.

•3.      A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization

P.O. Box 808, L-795

Livermore, CA  94551-0808

Attention:  FBO 180-08

Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Optical Waveform Recorder/Preprocessor.